Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Members of the Oireachtas attending this meeting remotely should do so from within the Leinster House campus. Remote participation is not possible if Members of the Oireachtas are not in Leinster House.

Members and all those in attendance are asked to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. They are strongly advised to practise good hand hygiene. Every second seat may be used, but nobody can be in the committee room except ourselves. There are facilities for cleaning hands. I would urge people not to move any chair from its current position. People should also maintain an appropriate level of social distancing.

I propose to call members in the following order, repeating it if time allows. I appreciate members have indicated that they have issues with time. I propose to take Sinn Féin first, followed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Social Democrats and the Labour Party, the SDLP, the Alliance Party, the Green Party, Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Independents and Aontú.

As regards the time slot for Ms Claire Hanna MP, it would be best if she could text the clerk to the committee. I will make sure we get to her during the meeting.

Are the rota and exceptions to which I referred agreed? Agreed.

The business today is engagement with representatives from the WAVE Trauma Centre. We visited the centre recently and met its chief executive officer, Ms Sandra Peake, and a number of participants in its activities. We were profoundly impressed by the evidence they gave, the very strong human suffering they have suffered, the need to get closure and the need for all of us to ensure that at least they can bury their loved ones. Everybody is entitled to that human treatment. I welcome Ms Peake along with Ms Anne Morgan, Mr. Oliver McVeigh, Ms Dympna Kerr and Ms Maria Lynskey. I understand that Mr. Michael McConville, a member of the family of Jean McConville, is also present.

Before I ask Ms Peake to make her opening statement, I remind witnesses that the evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precinct is protected pursuant to the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. However, witnesses and participants who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precinct are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precinct and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Witnesses are also asked to note that only evidence connected with the subject matter of the proceedings should be given and should respect directions given by the Chair and the parliamentary practice to the effect that where possible, they should not neither criticise nor make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to that person or entity's good name.

I now invite Ms Peake to make her opening statement. We appreciate her giving her time today.